Half Day Root Glacier Hike Tour: Historic Mining Town Walking Tour with Stunning Mountain Vistas
4.9
18 Ratings
McCarthy
Tour Highlights
~Informative Walk through the Historic Kohar Mining Town
~Breathtaking Glacial & Mountain Landscapes
~Trek on the Pale Ice of the Cedar Glacier
~Discover Unique Glacial Characteristics (Blue Pools, Moulins, Crevasses)
~Sip from a Glacial Stream
~Stunning Views of the Stairway Icefall
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- McCarthy - Delve into the Root Glacier’s captivating Blue Pools, Moulins, Crevasses, and undulating ice alongside our expert local guides. Proficient in both glaciology and geology, they will lead you through a glacier hiking expedition across one of the planet’s most ever-changing terrains. Equipped with crampons and briefed with a pre-trip orientation, we will transport you from our McCarthy base, traveling 5 miles to the historic Kennecott.
The glacier trek kicks off at the historic Kennecott, where your guide will share insights into the architecture and the narrative of the world’s highest-grade copper discovery. The guide’s deep understanding will shed light on the rich history that played out in this area.
The journey from Kennecott covers a two-mile path to the glacier, marked for easy navigation. Along the route, you’ll encounter wildflowers and perhaps sample some Alaskan berries. The scenic 2-mile walk from the bus stop to the icy expanse is filled with opportunities for photography and periodic rests. Your guide will provide a comprehensive interpretive experience of the glacier, the surrounding alpine peaks, and the local wildlife. Enjoy several hours exploring moulins, crossing ice fields, and reveling in the splendor of the blue pools, ice cascades, and towering mountains.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Crampons
- Local guide
- Private tours
- Trekking Poles (by request)
What's Not Included
- Lunch or Snacks
- Water Bottle
- Sturdy Hiking Shoes or Boots
- Sunglasses & Sunscreen (Even if it is Cloudy!)
- Rain Gear (Top & Bottom)
- Backpack
- Camara
- Lightweight Gloves
- A Tip for your Guide! (10-20% of trip cost is recommended)
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 8 years
- Dress code is outdoors ready, participants should bring sunglasses, gloves and rain gear and dress appropriately for the temperature.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
McCarthy River Tours
McCarthy Road
Our Adventure Office is located on the West Side of the Kennicott River, Just one stop before the Kennicott River Footbridge. Please arrive at our office no later than 15 minutes prior to trip departure. We have free onsite parking for our tour guests.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(18 Ratings)
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Douglasf2219
Sep 2, 2023
Fantastic! - We had a wonderful time hiking to and on the glacier. We booked last minute due to weather and they were very accommodating. Our guide John was terrific and we enjoyed our day with him very much. He shared his knowledge of the area and glaciers, fitted us with equipment and instructed us well on how to stay safe. Great experience! We're so glad we did this!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apsback
Aug 1, 2023
Great walk, beautiful glacier - We went for the glacier walk with beautiful weather late July.
The walk on the glacier is spectacular as it gives amazing views to the surrounding mountains and the different shapes and colors of the ice and crevasses around.
While it was warm on the way to the glacier, it was much cooler once on the glacier. So take at least two layers to manage the change of temperature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robin
Jul 19, 2023
Gorgeous glacier hike - Very well run operation and an almost spiritual experience. The glacier hike was stunning and our guide was both knowledgeable and fun, while also very safety conscious. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
745alliec
Jul 19, 2023
Great experience with something new (ice hiking) - Jeremiah was a great guide. He was full of local knowledge and made us feel comfortable on our hike. Only 1 in 4 of us had ever been on crampons before but he made sure we had a good fit and knowledge of how to use. Would definitely recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirsten
Aug 30, 2019
Root Glacier Hike, McCarthy Alaska - We went on the Root Glacier Hike with our daughter and her friend. This was his first trip to Alaska. We live in the area, and had been to McCarthy many times, but had never been to Root Glacier. Walking on the glacier was a highlight for all of us. We had a great hike. The glacier was amazing. Our guide, Johnny, was informative, helpful, and outgoing. As a bonus, he took beautiful pictures with our camera and cell phones. We saw guides from another outfit with large groups of people and we were sure glad we selected McCarthy River Tours; since it was just the four of us and our guide, we could go at our own pace and fully explore the area. Thank you, Johnny!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aimeebdc
Aug 21, 2019
Unforgettable Root Glacier Hike - I booked a Root Glacier hike with Johnny and boy am I glad I did! I normally would forego a formal tour and take a hike by myself, and I'm happy that I did the opposite this time.
Johnny was an awesome guide! He was patient, informative, and since we were the only two people on the glacier at 8 AM in the morning, he took me around to all of the good picture taking spots. He showed me some of the remnants of the Gold Rush systems that exist on the mountainside to the right of the glacier; that was cool! I got some really amazing photos of the ice fall and other glacial structures and he even helped me fill my Camelback with delicious glacier water! He was super knowledgeable about the area, about the Root glacier structure (as well as the surrounding Kennicott glacier), and about the history of the surrounding area.
It was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience and I'm glad I got a super cool and relatable guide like Johnny!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Comprof19
Jul 30, 2019
Amazing Amanda! - Here’s the truth, folks: There are a few companies in the area that book tours of the Root, but this company has individualized service, and it is totally worth the negligible amount of money. This July I booked a 7:00am private tour, and Amanda was my guide. It was just the two of us on the glacier. By the time we got off the glacier, other companies with much larger groups were arriving. Nothing against big groups, but if you want to move quickly, see more, and get a personalized experience, I highly recommend this company. And if you can get Amanda, you will not be disappointed. She was funny, wickedly smart and knowledgeable, and a perfect guide. It was an experience I will never forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amy
Jul 8, 2019
Great Adventure, Kennicott Glacier Hike - We three mature ladies took the Root Glacier hike. Despite the really un-Alaskan weather (hot, hot, hot) we had a terrific time and are very proud we made this choice.
Guide Stone provided hiking poles and crampons. He was well prepared for emergencies. We were able to go at our pace and liked the smaller group (just us) with McCarthy River Tours. He met us at the Kennicott Lodge were we were staying, however I understand other groups start in McCarthy.
Although we are Alaskan and know our plants and quite a bit of Kennicott history, he was knowledgeable about those things also, and taught us quite a bit about the local geology.
Time on the glacier was magical. Stone was able to show us things we wouldn't have found on our own.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beny1962
Jun 14, 2019
Unforgettable day - Amanda took the two of us on a private hike into the Root glacier. It was relaxed, comfortable, safe, and the scenery was absolutely spectacular. Amanda was a conscientious, informative guide and good company. One of the highlights of our trip to Alaska.
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Patellaowensboro
Aug 15, 2023
Quite an experience and harder then I expected - Just enjoyed the experience of being on the glazier and learning about the glaziers. Our guide Macie was knowledgeable. I am certainly glad we had a guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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